The TDI badge stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection, and is the badge fitted to turbodiesel versions of the golf. These engines are well known for their dependability as well as producing a great balance between performance and fuel efficiency.

What is the most popular Golf?

The Golf Match is the most popular version of the Golf. It's a mid-to-high specification version of the Mk7 golf and came equipped with adaptive cruise control, touchscreen sat nav and air con as standard. Of the Mk8, the Life is the most readily available on the used market. Though it's the entry-level model, it still comes with alloy wheels, front/rear parking sensors, sat nav and climate control.

Is the Volkswagen Golf good for long-distance driving?

Yes, the Golf is a very comfortable motorway cruiser. The interior is also spacious enough to accommodate passengers on a longer trip.

Is the Golf a good family car?

Yes. Volkswagen has always designed the Golf to be a family car. For a long time now, the Golf has only been available in a five-door layout, and it's very straightforward to fit an ISOFIX child seat in the back. Even performance versions such as the GTI and R retain excellent practicality but add a serious dose of performance.

Does the Volkswagen Golf come as a hybrid or electric version?

Yes, you can buy the Golf as an e-Golf, which is a fully electric car. This has lots of advantages, such as much lower running costs. There is also a plug-in hybrid version that allows for up to 42 miles of electric driving before switching to petrol/electric hybrid power to allow you to continue your journey.

Is there a four-wheel drive version of the Golf?

Yes, the very popular Golf R hot hatchback (and estate) comes with four-wheel drive as standard. The other option is the relatively rare Alltrack, which is an estate model.

5,250 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,326

Finance available £231 pm

1.5L
85.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Thornbury Car Centre

01454800976 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£20,698

1.5L
25.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£21,097

Finance available £431 pm

1.4L
14.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Barnsley

01226448498 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,500

Finance available £145 pm

2L
51.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

New Look Motors

01216618627 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,399

Finance available £328 pm

2L
51.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO GPF R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£16,995

1.5L
34.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stoneacre Wigan - Stoneacre Select

01942559249 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£16,024

1.5L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,495

Finance available £421 pm

1.5L
15.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 Golf GTD 3dr

£7,820

Finance available £152 pm

2L
116.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RallySport Automotive Limited

01206489764 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

J.D AUTOS NI Ltd

02890023680 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Reduced

£14,845

1.5L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps) - HEATED SEATS -

Low Mileage

£27,255

Finance available £551 pm

2L
14.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,700

Finance available £278 pm

1.5L
44.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 1.9 Match TDI 5dr

£1,495

1.9L
184.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Classix Carz

01217287137 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps) / FINANCE FRO

£12,797

Finance available £264 pm

2L
84.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Parkland Motors

01509276004 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

£8,490

Finance available £167 pm

2L
98.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Junction 21 Motors

01934312906 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - R LINE EDITION TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
103.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car City Bristol Limited TA CARHUB

01174400727 *

Volkswagen Golf1989 (G) - 1.8 Clipper 2dr

Low Mileage

£4,995

1.8L
123.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Chess Valley Autos

01494296482 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,849

Finance available £522 pm

2L
15.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,990

1.5L
24.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

UK WHEELS LIMITED

02039537447 *

4.9/5 Stars

Why buy a used Volkswagen Golf?

If you're in the market for a practical, comfortable and dependable car with the added benefit of timeless style and design, then a used Volkswagen Golf is a great choice. The Golf is also available with petrol, diesel, hybrid and even full electric engines.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

Pros

Efficient engines
Impressively refined
High-quality interior

Cons

Rivals are more involving to drive
Digitalised interior is a bit fiddly
Plain styling

Read our Volkswagen Golf review

Volkswagen Golf video review

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Different generations of used Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf has been on the roads since 1974, with the UK being one of its best markets. Over the course of eight generations, Volkswagen has kept the Golf stylish and relevant. The newest models remain highly efficient and thoroughly enjoyable to drive.

Eighth Generation (2020 to 2016)

The most recent generation has been completely redesigned inside and out. The style is more striking, with interior features similar to those of the all-electric ID.4. Enhanced safety systems have also been added for a more protected drive.

VW released all-electric models and a plug-in hybrid for increased efficiency, further adding to the overall appeal of the latest generation Golf.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 34 - 941
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 10.7 seconds
Boot space:: 273 - 611 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.5 TSI 204 Style eHybrid 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.0 TSI Life 5dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Seventh Generation (2016 to 2020)

The MQB platform created a Golf that was 100 kg lighter than earlier models, meaning better performance, handling and fuel efficiency. Safety features such as Automatic Emergency Braking was added. As with previous generations, VW continued working on ways to make the Golf more efficient, with improvements year over year.

In 2013, the Golf R hit the scene and brought class-leading hot hatch performance. Such was the popularity of the Mk7 Golf, over six million were built and sold worldwide.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 5dr DSG

Sixth Generation (2009 to 2016)

It didn't take long before drivers realised how amazing this generation was, with the 2009 model winning the World Car of the Year award. Despite its sharp style, this generation didn't go on many years before another design took over, making them even more desirable on the used market.

Most notably, this generation receives a lot of praise for its safety and the high-tech features included.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.2 - 2
MPG:: 33 - 74
Acceleration:: 5.5 - 13.9 seconds
Boot space:: 250 - 505 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.2 TSI S 2dr
Cheapest
1.4 S 3dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI R 4MOTION 3dr DSG

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

View guides

* Telephone numbers starting with 084X or 087X will cost you up to 13p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge. Calls to other telephone numbers will only cost your phone company's access charge.